Supervisory apparatus



Aug. 27, 1946; P, H, BWE I 2,406,318

v i SUPERVISORY APPARATUS Original Filed March 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 if 9 6 m" WITNESSES: INVENTOR W ParzerHBraae.- BY v 1 ATTORNE Aug. 27, 1946. P. H. BRACE 2,406,318

SUPERVISOR? APPARATUS Original Filed March 4, 1941 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 wnuesszs; I k VINVENTOR w Porter B71266.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 27, 1946 SUPERVISORY APPARATUS Porter H. Brace, Forest Hills, Pa.,

Westinghouse Electr burgh, Pa., a corpora ic Corporation,

tion of Pennsylvania assignor to East Pitts- Original application March 4, 1941, Serial No.

381,672. Divided and this application December 3, 1942, Serial No. 467,731

Claims.

This invention relates to devices useful for the control of metallurgical processes, and more particularly to supervisory apparatus for indicating the progress of chemical reactions due to combustion at high temperatures.

This is a division of my Patent 2,339,754 issued January 25, 1944. This application is directed toward specific embodiments for the control of metallurgical processes described in the original patent above-identified.

The primary object of this invention is to utilize the radiation properties accompanying combustion for indicating the progress of the combustion process.

Another object of the invention is to analyze the combustion process by means of the radiation in such manner as to produce an instantaneous visual indication proportional to the intensity of the radiation and at the same time provide an indication of a standard radiation for comparative observance.

A further object of the invention is to produce visual indication at a rate higher than the time constant of the persistence of vision in rapid succession of the radiation properties of a radiating source including its spectral components and the rate of change of the radiation received at an observation point at any instant.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for generating a series of electrical impulses proportional to the radiation characteristics and spectral components of the radiation to be analyzed and proportional to the radiation of a standard source, and utilizing said impulses in a predetermined order and sequence of time to form a pattern onthe screen of a cathode ray oscilloscope.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the invention pointed out in particularity by the appended claims and taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing the general radiation of a flame;

Fig. 2 is a modified arrangement for analyzing the spectral radiation of a flame;

Fig. 3 shows the resultant pattern in accordance with the operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 illustrates the pattern resultant from the operation of the arrangement of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5' is a schematic view of the apparatus for analyzing simultaneously the total radiation characteristics, the spectral radiation, and the 2 rate of change of the radiation incident on a point of observation, e. g. a slit at the focus of the optical system cooperating with a photo-cell; and,

Fig. 6 illustrates the pattern obtained in accordance with the operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5.

In metallurgical operations involving accelerated oxidation reactions, for example, in combustion processes involving high temperatures, the radiations from the flames of gaseous or solid products are frequently depended upon as a means for estimating the progress of the reaction in order to decide upon the measures for controlling the process. For example, in producing steel by means of the Bessemer converter, it is the practice'to depend upon the trained eye of the individual in charge of the control of the operation. Very accurate timing is necessary to maintain satisfactory uniformity in the product and the inevitable human error frequently leads to so-called off heats resulting in considerable economic losses. In accordance with the invention herein described a continuous indication can be effected of the changing distribution of the radiation from the flame of a converter.

Referring to Fig. 1, a Bessemer converter is schematically indicated, the flame of which emits visible, infrared and ultraviolet radiations. These radiations are passed through an optical system indicated by the lens 2 and through a suitable diaphragm 3 and are directed upon a second lens 4 which focuses the beam on a photo-cell 5. The anode and cathode elements ii and 1, respectively of the cell 5 are connected to the vertical sweep circuit of a cathode ray oscilloscope '21.

Oscilloscopes of this type are standard instruments for comparing various properties of alternating currents and serve as a useful tool in the fields of research and industry. The invention does not concern itself with the particular type of oscilloscope and therefore its mechanical or electrical features need not be described in detail. It is to be understood that the oscilloscope contains elements for producing an adjustable linear time axis for the horizontal sweep of the cathode ray and that the currents to be traced cause Vertical movement of the cathode ray.

A scanning mechanism comprising a series of alternating light filtering elements 8, and opaque members 9 is interposed between the diaphragm 3 and the lens 4. The filter members and the opaque members are so arranged as to form a revolving drum Which maybe roated at a uniiorm speed by the motor Iil through suitable cuts oil the light gearing. In order to synchronize the sweep of the oscilloscope with the rotation of the scanning mechanism, a small permanent magnet I! is carried thereby and is arranged to cooperate with an inductance coil I2 to deliver a voltage pulse to the sweep control of the oscilloscope on each revolution of the scanning mechanism.

The opaque members 9 acting as shutters for the light from the radiation of the flame, carry reflecting surfaces l3, which are at such an angle as to reflect upon the photo-cell the radiation from a standard source shown here by the lamp M, the illumination of which is focused by means of the lens l5 upon the reflecting surfaces when one of them obstructs the opening of the diaphragm 3. The illumination is arranged by proper physical placement of the light source M in such manner that an opaque member 9 will cut off the light beam when a filtering element 8 is directly opposite the opening of the diaphragm 3. The number of opaque members 9 around the circular support is so arranged that Whenever a filtering element is placed directly opposite the opening in the diaphragm 3, an opaque member from the source M. On the other hand, whenever an opaque member 9 is directly opposite the opening in the diaphragm 3 and thereby cuts off the light entering from the .lens 2, a filtering element 8 will be so positioned that light from the source l4 must pass therethrough. The light beam passing through the filter 8 being directed to the center of the open ing in the diaphragm 3 encounters a reflector surface I3 from which it is then reflected and directed through the lens 4 onto the photo-cell 5 As the drum revolves the next instant, a filtering member will take the place of the opaque member before the opening in the diaphragm 3, and at the same time an opaque member 9 will take the place of the filter member 8 before the lens l5 and thereby cut off the light from the source M. It is clearly seen that in alternate succession the photo-cell will be energized from the light source to be analyzed and the standard source l4. Each of the light filtering elements 8, has different predetermined spectral transmittance and they are so arranged that as the scanning mechanism rotates each successive filter progressively completes the desired spectrum.

In the operation of th apparatus abovedescribed when the scanning mechanism is rotating the photo-cell receives interrupted illumination whose magnitudes depend upon the intensity of the radiation of the flame and the transmission coelficients of the filters. The photo-cell also receives a series of impulses originating from the standard source I4 in alternate succession. This results in a pattern on the oscilloscope screen l6 as shown in Fig. 3 where the series of deflections N of the cathode ray beam diifer in amplitude alternatingly from a series of deflections O. The former are due to the energization of the photocell from the radiation source to be analyzed and the latter from the constant source [4. For the purpose of comparison the sensitivity of the oscilloscope may be adjusted by the control I! until the deflections due to the standard radiation reach some predetermined amplitud which is indicated by the mark Q. The standard source l4 may conveniently be a tungsten filament lamp with means for accurately measuring and adjusting the filament current. The motor I0 for driving the scanning mechanism should have a reasonably constant speed. 7

The above arrangement provides Qontinuous spectral analysis of a chosen portion of the spectrum of a flame. Greater discrimination may be obtained through the use of suitable prisms or gratings to develop the line spectrum of the radiation. By this is meant the successive viewing of the spectral lines of the flame as they are developed by a refracting prism, diffraction grating or equivalent optical element. A different type of scanning system is employed for this purpose as shown in Fig. 2. Radiation from the converter flame is focused on a slit :0 by a suitable optical system represented here by the lens 2!. The light is focused by another lens 22 upon a refracting prism 23, from which it is directed on the scanning mechanism 34. The latter consists of a series of reflecting surfaces 25 having a certain angular position. Alternating with these surfaces are reflecting surfaces 25 which have a different angular position for the purpose which shall be described hereinafter. By means of the prism 23 the light is broken up into its spectrum and is then thrown upon a light gate 28 behind which is a photo-electric cell 5. The output of the latter is connected to the vertical deflecting circuit of a cathode ray oscilloscope in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1. An amplifier It may be interposed between thephoto-cell 5 and the oscillograph 21 if the output of the photo-cell should not be of suflicient magnitude to energize the'oscilloscope. The rotation of the scanning mechanism. by the motor In causes the spectral radiation to sweep across the opening of the light gate 28 every time one of the reflecting surfaces 25 is in proper alignment therewith. Thus the radiation reaching the photo-cell varies with time during the movement of the spectrum across the opening of the light gate and in such a manner that it is dependent upon thespectral distribution of the radiation. The alternate reflectors 26 of the scanning mechanism are so positioned that they deflect the spectrum away from the light gate while reflecting the light from a standard source shown here by the lamp M in cooperation with the lens l5 upon the light gate as the scanning mechanism rotates.

The timing of the oscilloscope sweep is controlled as in Fig. 1 by a series of permanent magnets and inductance l2 so that the oscilloscope sweep returns to its starting point after the passage of each pair of deflecting surfaces. The result is that the oscilloscope receives the series of impulses from the photo-cell evoked alter nately by the light from the standard source and the radiation from the converter flame. The resultant pattern on the oscilloscope screen will be of the type shown in Fig. 4 where the portion A represents a steady deflection due to the standard radiation and the portion B a variable deflection due to the passage of successive spectral regions of the flame radiation across the light gate. In the operation the oscilloscope sensitivity is to be adjusted to keep the deflection due to the standard radiation at some predetermined amplitude value as indicated by the mark C.

It frequently happens that significant lines of the spectrum are obscured by general radiation which gives a more or less of high intensity. Such continuous background radiation might arise from incandescent solid particles in suspensionin the flame gases. In order to separate the lines from the continuous background, and provide a flexible arrangement in which the general radiation and the spectral lines can be simultaneously observed, together with some indication of the progress of reaction, the arrangement shown in can be ;utilized. :By -.this :modiflcation -,of ,the invention the 1fol-lowingwsequence =:of operation will take place automatically:

: 1. One complete sweep of the 1 oscilloscope -re- .cords the'illumination from .a standard source;

.2. The-next sweep records-the spectral'-variation of the total. radiation zfromthe .fiame ras arwhole.

3..'A third sweep records the rate of :change of :radiation. reachingthenphotoecell slit' andi-thus serves :to emphasize :spectral "lines with :respect to'the general background.

Radiation from thesource shown herein .as'rthe :flame .of pa Bessemer converter 5| is focused aby meansofj'lens 2 onra spectroscope l8 from 'which the dispersed light emerges andrisidirecteld rupon a scanning mechanism comprising :a polyhedral ,mirror .2 9 having two identical facets :38 and :30 and another facets l disposed in; a differentrangu- .lar position. Themirror'iB:is-rdrivenby a motor 'I'Uby means of gears '34 and '35. The, gear drive .is merely for the purpose .of illustration and other suitable driving anechanisms may the employed. Another. gear Bfisimilar in.size -to gear -'35 is in mesh with the latter :and rotates a cam 31 upon which ride the rollers :38, '39 and-4B each actuating a switch M, 243 and "42, respectively. v i liemoving contacts of the switches M, Aland =43 are connected :in parallel by 'means ofwon- .ductors 45 and 45 and :connect ito .the output of the photo-cell :5 fthrough a suitable amplifier 1| 9. The stationary .contactsqof the switchestl and 43 are connected in parallel by means of conductors 4:1 and :48 iand'connect to the input circuit of the oscilloscope 1 and also to the secondarywinding 49 of a transformer 59 the primary VJiI'IdiIlQI-fil of'which is connected to the stationary contacts of the switch .2.

The synchronization of the oscilloscope sweep is effected as previously described by means of magnets H carried by the gear 35 cooperating with inductance coil l2. The facets 30 and 38' of the mirror 29 are so arranged that the light from the spectroscope i8 is reflected thereby upon the light gate 28 behind which is the photocell 5, whereas the facet 3| is in such angular position that it reflects the light from the standard source l4 focused by the lens I5 upon the light gate 28.

The mirror 29 is so geared to the cam 37 that the switches 41, 42 and 43 are closed in succession during the intervals when the photo-cell is illuminated. In Fig. 5 the position illustrates the instant when the record of the general radiation of the flame is being indicated, the facet 3i] sweeping over the light gate, and the switch 4! being closed. With the rotation as indicated by the arrow the next event will be the indication of the spectral lines as distinguished from the general radiation. The radiation from the spec'- troscope will be reflected by the facet 39' of the mirror 23 While the cam 31 will have closed the switch 42 so that the impulse from the photoelectric cell 5 will be transmitted to the cathode ray tube through the transformer 59. The transformer, due to its characteristics, will develop signals which are proportional to the rate of change of the radiation at any instant rather than to its intensity. As the rotation continues the next occurrence is that the facet 3| is placed in operative relation between the light gate 28 and the source M, sweeping the light gate by the standard radiation. At this time the switch 43 is in the closed position whereas switches 42 and 4| are open. The output of the photo-cell 5 will the connected directlythrough-conductors 45:.an'd :46, the; stationary contacts 'of the switch-43, and

. conductors -48 r and loscope.

:The' operation is repeated in: uniformv sequence,

41 to the input of the'osciland the resultant pattern {on the oscilloscope screen .will be as shown in 6, comprising threedistinctiw'e cathode ray-sweeplines-D being thatof the :radiation of .the standard "source, .E a recordof the ispectralclines .of the general radia- -tion,-and F, ;a recordof the traterof *change :of

, the radiation when "the transformer is tin-.operation.

TI claim-as my invention: 7 1. Ina deviceforranlyzing combustion processes by means of :the :-radiationucharacteristicsof ;the xflarne, means :fordispersing said irradiation to io'btain the spectral distribution gof said :flame, a

rotating polyhedral mirror having 'iseriesxof facets, at least one at :a certain angular position and others at a differentiangular positi'on,ra. light gate, a photo-electric cell cooperating'therewith,

meansincluding said dispersing means for directing the spectral radiation 'of said flame-uponi'one set of f acets-and therefrom ,-.uponisaid light gate,

a source of constant radiation of .knownwalue, means forv directing said lastqnentioned.radiation uponsaid other'set' offacets andtherefrom upon said -:light gate whereby the rotation :of :said

mirror causes energizationof'tsaid -cellinsuccession at rapidly ,Jrecurring intervals "in accordance with the spectral :distribution of isaidtiflame and in accordance with the radiation .ofcsaid source, means :forindicating. the 'relativei ma'g- .nitudes of the currents generated bys-saiid cell comprising a 303113110216 ray zoscilloscope: and-means forsynchronizing the sweep of said oscilloscope with the movement of said mirror.

2. In an apparatus for analyzing combustion processes by means of the radiation characteristics of the flame, an optical system for dispersing the radiation into its elementary spectrum, a rotating polyhedral mirror having at least two consecutive reflecting surfaces at a certain angular position and another surface at a different angular position, a light gate, a photoelectric cell cooperating therewith, said optical system, said light gate and said two consecutive reflecting surfaces being so related that the rotation of said mirror causes energization of said photocell by action of each of said two consecutive reflecting surfaces through said gate by successive wave lengths of the spectral radiation of said flame in uniform time sequence, a source of standard radiation, means for causing said lastmentioned radiation to be reflected from said surface having a different angular position upon said gate and thereby energizing said 0911' after successive energizations from said spectral radiation, a cathode ray oscilloscope, a circuit interconnecting the output of said cell with the input of said oscilloscope means for synchronizing the rotation of said mirror with the linear sweep of said oscilloscope, and means included in said circuit for changing the output current of said photo-cell during the time interval when one of said consecutive reflecting surfaces transmits radiation to said cell to vary said current in proportion with the rate of change of intensity of successive wave lengths of said spectral radiation.

3. In an apparatus for analyzing combustion processes by means of the radiation characterdifferent angular position, a light gate, a hotoelectric cell cooperating therewith, said optical system, said light gate and said two consecutive reflecting surfaces being so related that the rotation of said mirror causes energization of said photo-cell by action of each of said two consecutive reflecting surfaces through said gate by successive wave lengths of the spectral radiation of said flame in uniform time sequence, a source of standard radiation, means for causing said lastmentioned radiation to be reflected fromsaid surface having a different angular position upon said gate and thereby energizing said cell after successive energizations from said spectral radiation, a cathode ray oscilloscope, a circuit interconnecting the output of said cell with the input of said oscilloscope, means for synchronizin the rotation of said mirror with the linear sweep ofsaid oscilloscope, and means comprising a trans former for changing the output current of said photorcell during the time interval when one of said consecutive reflecting surfaces transmits radiation to said cell to vary said current in proportion with the rate of change'of intensity of successive wave lengths of said spectral radiation.

4. In an apparatus for analyzing combustion processes by means of the radiation characteristics of the flame, an optical system for dispersing the radiation into its elementary spectrum, a rotating polyhedral mirror having at least two consecutive reflecting surfaces at a certain angular position and another surface at a different angular position, a light gate, a photoelectric cell cooperating therewith, said optical system, said light gate and said two consecutive reflecting surfaces being so related that the rotation of said mirror causes energization of 'sair photo-cell by action of each of said two consecutive reflecting surfaces through said gate by successive wave lengths of the spectral radiation oi said flame in uniform time sequence, a sourc 01 standard radiation, means for causing said lastmentioned radiation to be reflected from said surface having a diflerent angular position upon said gate and thereby energizing said cell after successive energizations from said spectral radiation, a cathode ray oscilloscope, a circuit comprising means having an output voltage responsive to the rate of change of input current thereto and a plurality of switching means conjointly operable with the rotation of said mirror for connecting during the sweep interval of one of said consecuti've surfaces the output of said cell directly with the input of said oscilloscope and for interposing at the sweep interval of said next consecutive surface said means having an output Voltage responsive to the rate of change of input current thereto between the output of said cell and said oscilloscope and for restoring said direct connection at in said path and means for alternately causing radiation from said source to strike said device and said beam to be swept across said device.

PORTER H. BRACE. 

